Dalkan: 500-Bed Hospital Will Not Be Enough

Dr. Ceyhun Dalkan, President of the Cyprus Turkish Medical Association, reminded that under a protocol signed last week between Prime Minister Ünal Üstel and Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, a 500-bed hospital would be built in Nicosia. However, he emphasized that a 500-bed hospital would not be enough.

Pointing out that Dr. Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital in Nicosia has over 700 beds, Dalkan questioned, "When the new hospital opens, will the existing hospital be closed, reducing capacity, or will Nalbantoğlu be left to decay?"

Appearing on the "Canan Onurer ile Sabah Haberleri" program on Kıbrıs Postası TV, hosted and prepared by Canan Onurer, Dr. Dalkan also shared his views on current health investments.

He stated that there have been continuous promises to lay the foundation for the 500-bed hospital, but no satisfactory progress has been made. He emphasized that the government needs to invest more in the healthcare sector.

"CONTRACTED DOCTORS FACE PRESSURE"

Dr. Dalkan noted that in recent times, the use of contracted doctors instead of permanent staff has become more common in the healthcare system. He explained that this situation creates pressure on doctors.

He pointed out that contracted doctors can be threatened with the risk of their contracts not being renewed, saying, "When you want to send a doctor somewhere, they have no right to object. If they are sent alone to the emergency room, they bear a heavy load, and even the smallest complaint from a patient's relative could result in the doctor’s contract being terminated. This situation seriously jeopardizes the healthcare workers."

Dr. Dalkan emphasized the need for structural reforms in the healthcare sector, saying, "For the health of the people, both the public and private sectors must take responsibility. Healthcare investments should be increased, and the functioning of the system should be improved."